Toranaga actor Hiroyuki Sanada details Blackthorne’s final test in Shogun episode 10, explaining how the Anjin found the samurai spirit.

Toranaga actor Hiroyuki Sanada details The Anjin’s final test in Shogun episode 10. After losing his lover Mariko in the explosive final scene of Shogun episode 9, John Blackthorne returns to Edo in the season finale and finds his ship has been burned, making it impossible for him to return to England. Blackthorne may not wish to go back to England, however, as a vision implies he has finally embraced the ways of the samurai, having passed all of Toranaga’s tests, and now understands what it means to die a meaningful death.

Toranaga actor Sanada discussed Shogun episode 10, detailing Toranaga’s final test for Blackthorne, how The Anjin finally found the true samurai spirit, and why the deaths of Nagakado, Hiromatsu and Mariko were not wasted. Check out his remarks below:

Yeah, [Toranaga] tried to let [Blackthorne] go before Osaka, and then after Mariko’s death, he came back, so now, he can be a great weapon for Toranaga, but before that, he needed a test. But it looks like he learned the samurai spirit through all the things [he’s experienced]. Also, he saw the dream when he’s getting older in England, as an old man watching the samurai helmet, and maybe he thought, “Is that the best way to die? Does long life mean happiness?”

And then he saw how Mariko died with honor, with a mission, it was a meaningful death. So, those kinds of things taught him what is samurai spirit. What is happiness? What is a good death for him? What is the timing? What is an honorable death for him? So, at that moment, the samurai spirit came into his mind. Then, Toranaga watched, said, “Stop it, enough! Come with me.” [Chuckles] He needed Anjin and just wanted to test him, so, “Enough, okay, you got it. You passed.”

He never wastes a life. Nagakado, Hiromatsu, Mariko, like Toranaga said at the end of [episode 8], “I’ll never waste your death. I will never. Thank you for your loyalty and sacrifice.” That went to Mariko and all others who died on his team. So never waste, that word is important for Toranaga to keep his strength, keep motivation. It’s very sad, of course, but “I will use your death for the future.” So, those kind of things are important for Toranaga that he’s always thinking about. He’s always watching the future duckets.

What’s Next For Blackthorne After The Shogun Season Finale

Shogun has been a big winner for FX and Hulu, receiving critical acclaim while putting up good streaming numbers. It’s yet to be seen, however, if Shogun season 2 will be confirmed. The entirety of James Clavell’s Shogun novel was covered by season 1, but more story could be created, as Toranaga, Blackthorne and the rest of the characters who survived season 1 continue their adventures in feudal Japan.

What might be next for Blackthorne after passing Toranaga’s tests and finding the samurai spirit is one question that could be answered by Shogun season 2. Returning to England does not seem in the cards for The Anjin, as he has come to feel alienated from his own culture, while embracing the ways of Japan. If Blackthorne stays in Japan, it’s likely he will continue serving Toranaga, who promises him that if the day does come for him to lay down his life for his lord, his death will not be wasted.

Blackthorne’s role in Toranaga’s Shogun season 1 plan was indeed rather small, but he could have a bigger part to play as Toranaga restores the shogunate and reunites Japan. It’s not impossible, of course, that he could repair his burned ship, and use it to better serve Toranaga. It’s yet to be seen if Shogun season 2 happens, but there are myriad possibilities for Blackthorne as a character who continues to learn the ways of the samurai.